KDI School has retained its certification under the Ministry of Education’s 2024 International Education Quality Assurance System (IEQAS). For the fifth consecutive year, KDI School has been recognized as an "Excellent Institution." Among 158 universities offering degree programs received IEQAS certification this year, only 27 institutions including KDI School achieved its status. Also, KDI School stands as the only international graduate school to receive this honor for five consecutive years, reaffirming its excellence in global education and internationalization efforts.

IEQAS is a rigorous evaluation system assessing the internationalization levels of higher education institutions in South Korea. Institutions failing to meet the Ministry of Education’s strict standards risk losing certification. To earn "Excellent Institution" status, institutions must meet several key criteria. They must maintain certification for at least three consecutive years and keep the illegal stay rate below 2%. Also, they must fulfill over 90% of evaluation criteria and should have no violations of immigration regulations.

What distinguishes KDI School in this evaluation? KDI School excelled across six core indicators, especially illegal stay rate, dropout rate, and financial burden on international students. Moreover, KDI School has continuously enhanced its internationalization capabilities through digital education infrastructure and tailored support programs for foreign students.

In 2024, there were no illegal residents among KDI School students. The school also introduced initiatives such as the "Online Pre-Semester Program" for new students and "Pre-Arrival Orientation with Local Alumni," helping international students transition smoothly into their academic journey.

In addition to its IEQAS recognition, KDI School became the first institution in South Korea to receive continuous accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) in 2024. This achievement further underscores the school’s commitment to international education excellence.

NASPAA is a globally respected nonprofit organization specializing in public administration education. Prestigious universities such as Syracuse University and Columbia University hold NASPAA accreditation. Only 14 universities in eight countries have obtained this accreditation excluding U.S. universities. KDI School remains the only institution in South Korea with this recognition.

The 2024 NASPAA accreditation applies to KDI School’s three major programs: Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Development Policy (MDP), and Master of Public Management (MPM). KDI school first received NASPAA accreditation for MPP in 2014, followed by MDP in 2017. The following year, in 2018, the MPM program also earned NASPAA accreditation, further demonstrating the school's academic excellence.

Additionally, KDI School is set to launch South Korea’s only public policy-focused Master of Data Science (MDS) program in Fall 2024. This new initiative further solidifies its position as a leader in public policy education in South Korea.